bbp

Got stung on the middle finger by a bee 2 days ago during a ride. It's finally swelling up but it's also getting numb. Is numbess normal? What should I do to reduce the swelling and numbness? I've read all the ways to treat a bee sting but most of those treatments are to be done right after the sting. I didn't finish my ride till 2 hours after the sting.

sprcoop

You might want to see a doctor but I think at this point you will just have to wait it out. I got stung on the wrist by a yellow jacket when I was about 10. My whole hand went numb swelled up to about 3 times normal for 2 days. I remember it was better than a lizard for scaring and chasing girls.

After that I got stung by yellow jackets probably a dozen times with normal bee sting after effects. One of my first jobs was at an apiary (bee farm) and I got stung about 10 times every day at work. I quit that job as soon as I had enough money for a car and insurance!

Cypress

Take some Benadryl and see if the swelling goes down.

See a doctor to diagnose how bad your reaction is, then roll the idea around of carrying a sting kit.

bbp

I hate bees. I scratched my ride this morning cause I couldn't bend my finger.

buzzman

sounds like a reaction in the normal range- but I'm no doctor.

I've had some pretty severe reactions (but in the normal range) to bee stings so I now carry Benadryl on every ride in the warmer months. Someone recommended to me that the benadryl should be crushed and dissolved under the tongue in order to decrease the time it takes to be effective.

If you are concerned check with your doctor and get an allergy test and if you're allergic/hypersensitive carry an epi-pen if necessary.

ElJamoquio

Having had to take my father to the ER once after a bee sting (after he had been stung dozens of times), I'd say go to the doctor.

urbanknight

+1 for the doctor trip. My mother had this happen, and the swelling continued to get worse until she had a 1" bump as well as a redness that was spreading up her leg. It turned out to be an allergic reaction on he skin, and if she had waited a few more days, it might have spread enough to require an amputation below the knee!

For you, it could be less, but don't take the risk.

LastPlace

See a doctor. I worked my way through college as a meter reader and was stung on an almost daily basis but never had
any numbness. Good luck.

asmallsol

Time is a big help. Last summer I was stung on my calf by a yellow jacket. When it happen, it felt like my leg got electrocuted and stiffened up almost instantly. I took some ibuprofen and sprayed bennadrill on it. I iced it that night to keep the swelling down. Fell asleep, woke up, and my leg swelled up so that my leg was one girth all the way from the bottom of the knee down to my foot. (I had kankles) I couldn't flex my foot more then a few degrees. When I put my cycling shoe on, I could only strap the top strap to say Si instead of SiDi. It sucked. After a week it went away.

For future reference, if you ever get stunk again, first use your finger nail, a credit card, ect, and move it along almost in a scratching motion, to remove the stinger, then spit on the sting location to cover up the pheromones the ventom leaves behind and rub it in a little bit.

cris2fur

My first bee sting happened when I was playing frisbee with bare feet. I got stung between my 2nd and third toes. I swear it swelled up to the point where I thought I had a sixth toe. I've been stung a jillion times while riding and I guess my body has acclimated in a way...now all I get is the initial numbness but no swelling.

Benadryl helps a little. Ice helps more. but I think time is the only cure. However, if this is your first time getting stung and you're not sure if you're allergic a doctor is a smart choice.

ElJamoquio

FYI, my father had been stung many times before he became allergic. When we got him into the ER his blood pressure was something like 50/30.

Step Down

as strange as it may seem, when I get stung, which is at least 2 times each summer, I get an adrenal rush and am on a high for a few hour after. I have never been stung on my hand, perhaps that would warrent a different response.

steppy

joshalope

Last year while riding I had a bee fly inbetween the vents of my helmet. The bee hung out there for about 7 or 8 miles, and as soon as I went to take the helmet off after a ride, I got stung right in the middle of the forehead (I shave my head). That was an interesting welt.

vpiuva

Had a bee get into my shoes (Shimano) through the sole vent holes. Don't know if the socks kept it from stinging or if it was just in shock, but I would have hated to finish the ride with a stung foot.

Ryleeryno

I have tons of allergies and have been told to carry my Epi-Pen multiple times.... 25 years old and haven't used it once and it still remains in the same spot after it's yearly refill. I have a bee sting allergy and have considered taking the Epi-Pen with me during rides.. I've consulted with the weight weenies and they said the 50 grams won't affect my performance as long as its stored where the center of gravity is.

Turkey Feathers

Bee stings shouldn't be taken lightly, I got stung countless times as a kid without issue...got tapped by a yellow jacket a couple years ago and swelled up like a tick...an ambulace ride, direct injection of benadryl, and epinephen later and I recovered...I carry an epi pen now all the time, difficulty breathing after a sting isn't fun at all.

cyclezen

+1
If you're getting a strong reaction to a sting, you might want to carry a sting kit, or in the very least some OTC antihistamines.
I react very strongly to stings, I always carry prescribed antihistamines with me, at all times.
If out, riding or other active endeavour.
Best is to reduce your heart rate directly after getting stung, that means get off the bike, find some shade and wait it out for 30 mins or so, see how the reaction develops. If you have antihistamines, take a dose and hydrate well otherwise. If stung anywhere where you might have a ring/jewelry that is tight and not adjustable, take it off immediately. Stay away from Ibuprofen or aspirin, they aid circulation which causes further/faster spread of the venom reaction.
Be prepared to ask for assistance if you feel symptoms of shock coming on.
If you continue exercising, your reaction may be more severe or prolonged than it might be otherwise.
BTW, of all the stings I can document by bug type, the vast majority (not counting skeeters) are from Yellow jackets followed in the distance by wasps. Don't believe I've had more than 2 'Bee stings'.

aicabsolut

You should do it if you're that allergic. Some of a gel leaked in my pocket yesterday during a race. About half way through the road race, I got stung twice on my back through my jersey. Not only was I a while from the cars, but the race site was pretty much out in the middle of nowhere. If I was allergic to bees, it would've been nasty without an epi-pen. One could easily just run into you and get caught somewhere and start stinging you.

As for the OP, if you've made it 2 days with only localized swelling, Benadryl will probably do the trick. If not, get to a doctor.